Improvement in corn-planters



' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. C. EVANS. Corn-Planter.

Patented July 1, `1879.

N. PErERs. PMoo-uTHoaRAFHEn, WASHINGTON. D C- l 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. A. OBVANS. Corn-Planter. No. 217,083. Patented July 1, v1879.

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N. PETERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAFHER. WASHINGYON D, C4

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGED AUSTIN O. EVANS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORN-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,083, dated July 1,1879; application led October 2l, 1878.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, AUsTIN C. EvANs, of the city of Springfield, in thecounty of Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Corn-Planters, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to the dropping devices and a peculiar and novelarrangement by which they are connected with and disconnected from thedriving-gear, which is used when dropping or drilling automatically,comprising also the construction and arrangement of certain detachablepart-s in changing from a dropping planter or hilling machine to a drill5 also, to auxiliary devices for forcing the shoes or cutters into theground and retaining the depth during the operation of planting.

Figure l is a side elevation from the right) of my machine. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same. Figs. 3, et, 5, 6, and 7 are details (enlarged)of the dropping devices. Fig. S is an enlarged view of the connectingparts for retainingthe shoes in the ground and for throwing theautomatic devices out otl gear. Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-section ofthe wheel A', its gearing and bracket supporting it, and the devicesi'or connecting it with the drilling attachments. Fig. l() is a top viewof the left section of the machine shown in Fig. 2 through line x. Fig.1l is a view of the detachable L-shaped post I, which is bolted to theslidelever c vfor connecting it with the automatic devices. Fig. 12 is avertical central section, taken through the adjustable foot-rest, whichis arranged below the drivers seat, and Fig. 13 is a like view of theadjustable droppers seat, a portion only of the bar upon which thehollow standards of these devices are mounted being represented.

My planter is designed for operation by hand with an attendant on thefront seat, D, and also for dropping and drilling automatically withoutsuch attendant. l

The machine shown is of the usual form, with l the front and rear(connected) sections, the latter being flexibly attached to the formerby a common clevis-jont at the ends of the framebars d d. These extendunder the axle and support a scraper-bar, t', pivoted in their rearends.

The tongue B is much longer than is usual,

is attached under the main cross-bar b, and extends back-to the rear ofthe axle. O11 its extreme rear end is bolted a hollow post, g', whichsupports an adjustable upright fork, the two prongs of which are turnediilat toward each side to form the horizontal foot-pieces f, by whichthe shoes or runners It are forced into the ground. A set-screw retainsthe shank oi' the fork at any required .height in the post g to adaptthe foot-levers to the convenience of the operator.

The seat O is supported upon the rear end ot' an inclined bar, d', abovethe rear of the machine. This bar is centrally pivoted above the axlebetween the two uprights of the rackstandard E, which latter is securedon the top ofthe axle. The ends of a xed pin driven through the seat-barrest in inclined slots a ot' the rack-standard. The front end of theseatbar is also pivoted and made adjustable upon post V located on thetongue near the front seat-post, behind the cross-bar b. The post V, hasa series of holes in it to allow ot' elevating or depressing the driversseat to any fixed position from this point. A rockshaft, r, connects thetwo uprights of the rackstandard E, being pivoted j ust over the tongue.A hand-lever, l, extends upward` from this rock-shaft, and is providedwith a catch, Z1, adapted to engage with the notches in the segmentalrack on the top of E. The catch is operated by a rod, which connects thesame with a spring-lever handle, l2, pivoted near the upper end of the'lever l. The rock-shaft r has a divided arm, r', extending forward,through which a fiat slotted bar, i, extends vertically, passing alsothrough a mortise in the tongue and seat-bar, as seen in Figs. l and 8.The lower end of bar @"is pivloted in the tongue, and has a series ofholes, jj, in it to make it adjustable. A long slot, i', extending in itfrom a point below the seat-bar to near the top end, allows it to risethrough the arm r' when the rear of the tongue is elevated, whichmovement is made by the operator removing his feet from the foot-piecesf and throwing his whole weight upon the seat C, the bar cl acting as alever, with its fulcrum k in thestandard E. This movement tilts thefront section forward, throwing the drilling devices on the left end ofthe axle out of gear tube a on the front side.

7.) The fork 4 is detachable, being screwed withthe dropping-slide, theoperation ot' which will be hereinafter more fully explained.

A U-shaped locking-bar, g, (see Figs. 1,2q and 8,) is pivoted by bolt 7Lto the arm r of the rock-shaft, having a lateral extension to operate bythe foot. This is thrown forward into the notch y on the top end of bart, locking the two sections of the planter rigidly together, when it isdesired to raise the runners out of the ground by the movement oftheoperator, before described. When the sections are thus locked, bythrowing the hand-lever Zforward the runners can be forced into theground when the weight ofthe operator on the foot-levers f alone wouldnot penetrate it. The depth of the runners can at the same time beregulated and retained by the hand-lever l, it being the long arm of anangular lever of which the arm 1" is the short one, with the rock-shaftr at the angle as its fulcrum.

The 4seed-boxes a and a' have rotary seedplates m, provided with theusual number of seed-cells. On the under side of these seedplates (seeFig. 6) the series of lugs m x pro- 'ectino at riOht angles from theirunder sur-V b C t! face (for actuating them) are nearly in the form ofan equilateral triangle in their crosssection, this form being necessaryto facilitate their operation by the rhombus-shaped block G on thehorizontal slide-leverI c, which actuates the seed-plates. It will benoticed that this block actuates the disk m when lever c is reciprocatedby its angular points Z Z catching over one of the lugs .fr on eitherside of their circle at each movement. The block G operates the diskentirely from within the circle ofthe lugs m no inst-cad of from theoutside of the circle, as is the case with all forms of the ordinaryslide-lever for actuating rotary seed-plates.

In the view shown in Fig. 6 slide-lever e is shown in dotted lines, inorder that the block G may be distinctly seen and its operationunderstood. Opposite to the block G on the slide-lever is a fork, 4,projecting at right angles from the rear edge, which straddles lug 3(see dotted lines, Fig. 6, and cross-section of slide-lever, Fig. 7) atthe top of the seed- (See Figs. 5, 6, and

on the slide-lever c, and used for oscillating the seed-tube u indropping in groups or hills,

.. and is taken oft', when the machine is used in drilling.

The valve V is a stationary one, the opening at the lower end for thedischarge of the seed in dropping for hills being made by theoscillation of the pivoted seed-tube u over it. This valve is in twoparts, (see Figs. 3 and 4,) l and 2. The upper section, 1, is cast solidinthe form of a thin rib on the rear (central line) of the runner-postj), extending from about the middle to the point, where'it is formedinto a boss for the reception of the pivot-bolt g, which pivots theseed-tube u to the post from that point downward, inclus-v ive of thewide part which extends across the seed-pockets b of the tube. It is ina separate detachable piece, andvis removed when using the machine as adrill. It is secured to the post by screws through the transverse ribcj', which latter is let into the groove w, extending across the rear ofthe post for the purpose of rmly securing this portion of the valve fromdisplacement. The seed-tube u is an open funnel-shaped tube entire fromthe mouth l to the point 2. (See Fig. 5.) From this point to the lowerend it is open on the side in contact with the post, which is dat andsmooth to allow it to operate easily. Its Lipper part is vertical, sothat it forms an angle at the upper point of contact. Its lower endextends to the rear,and Ais formed into a square tapering pocket (openabove and below) for the retention of the seed, and to bring it to Viewbefore it is deposited in the furrow. It is oscillated laterally on itspivot q over the fixed valve V by the motion of the slide c and itsconnection therewith through the bifurcated piece 4 and lug 3. (SeeFigs. 3, 4.) At the upper part of the opening in the tube is seen anotch or offset, 2', which covers the top end ot 'v' as a' isoscillated, so as to prevent the seed from being obstructed in passingover the valve. The form of thek pocket b and the movement of the lowerend of the tube away from the valve causes the seed to be dischargedexactly in the center of the furrow.

To prepare my machine for drilling the detachable parts before describedare taken ofi, and the seed-tubes u are inclined inward at the top andsecured by the hooks 7L on the rear of the cross-bar b, so as to bestationary.

The dropper-slide c is connect-ed to the driving-gear on the left endot' the axle through a lever, c', pivoted on the top of the post b,which stands on the left side bar, d, (see Figs. 1,2, 9, 10,) aboutmidway between the axle and the cross-bar b. This lever oscillates in ina horizontal plane, actuating' the seedingdevices through a detachableL-shaped post, V

I, which is bolted on the top of the slide-lever c by bolt d" (see Fig.2) on the left of the droppers seat, and exten ds up through slot a inthe adjustable plate O on the forward end of the lever. Its rear end isprovided with asleeve, terminating in an angular fork,from which a slotextends forward about half its length. This fork receives a stud havingan oval-shaped head, c, on the end of pitman p', the latter connecting'it with a crank on the top of avertical pinion-shaft, p, in the openbracket H.

The pinion e' is geared into the concentric gear-wheel F on the wheel A.When the movement is made, as before described, to disconnect thedriving-gear from the drilling devices for the purpose of turning at theends of rows, 85e., and the front section tilted forward, as seen inFig. l0, the clutch or fork j" is drawn forward by a hooked rod, fa,which connects it with hand-lever bracket m on the left seedbox, thusreleasing it from the stud e, theneck of which plays back and forth inthe elongated transverse slot in the plate c on the rear end slot.

of c', under f', the object being to allow of easy disconnection at thispoint by simply removing the feet of the operator from the foot-pieces ff, and permitting the gearing F c' and pitinan p' to continuein motion,also to allow of easy connection being made at the option of theoperator by replacing his i'eet on the footpieces and lowering therunners into the ground without the use or interposition of ahand-lever.

The shape of the head of stud e allows it to readily enterfthe slot infork f' although the pitman p' is in motion, the faces of the forkstanding at an angleof about forty-iive degrees, so as to readily guidethe stud e into its Heretofore drilling and dropping planters usingconcentric driving-gearhave been-thrown out of gear by disconnecting thepinion from the drive-wheel. This mode causes shocks and often breakingof the cogs. Besides this it is not always certain in operation, whilemy de vices allow the connection and disconnection to be made with easeand certainty, and without shock or breakage.

The sectional view, Fig. 12,clearly shows the hollow7 post secured tobar B by a screw or bolt passing throughaiiange or plate formed at thebase of the saine. It is obvious,lhow ever, that the standard may besecured in other ways with like result. In Fig. 13 the dropper-seat D isillustrated as mounted in the saine way as the foot-rests f, a hollowpost, 1)',being secured upon bar B in like manner with post g'. Thestandard of the `seat D is swiveled in post D', and rendered adjustableby a set-screw, substantially as shown.

I wish to be distinctly understood as` making no claim to the adjustabledropper-seat, nor the adjustable foot-rests beneath the drivers seat,considered as separate devices.

I claim as my improvementl. In a corn-planter, the stationary valve V',constructed in two sectionsl and 2, the lower section, 2, of which isdetachable, so that by its removal the devices connected therewith maybe used for drilling, as hereinbefore set forth.

' 2. The pivoted seed-tube u', in combination with the stationary valveV', lower detachable section, 2, and the runner-post p, all constructedand arranged substantially as specified, and adapted to be operated forboth dropping and drilling the seed.

3. In a corn-planter, a runner-post, p, constructed with a iixed orstationary valve, V', on

the rear side of the same, for the purpose of adapting it to theoperation of a seed-tube, u', pivoted thereto, and actuated inconnection with the seed-plates by either a hand-lever or other drivingmechanism, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

4. Hooks h", arranged upon the cross-bar b, in combination with thepivoted seed-tube u' and the cross-bar b, whereby the seed-tube may beswung round upon its pivot, and then maintained in position by theengagement of the hook therewith, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A rotary seed plate or disk, m, having a series of lugs, x fr,projecting from its under surface, and of nearly equilateral triangularform in their cross-section, said lugs bein arranged in a circle, andthe disk thereby being adapted to be Voperated by a rhom bus-shapedblock, G, on the slide-lever c from within said circle, substantially asspecified, and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a planter having a rotary seed dropping and drilling device,slide-lever e, rhomboid block Gr, seed-plate m, fork et, in combinationwith seed-tube u', valve V', and runner-post p, as and for the purposeset forth.

7. In a pivoted or movable seed-tube, a', adapted to be operated inconnection with a -fixed or stationary valve, V', on the runnerpost of aseed-planter, a rearward-projecting and downwardly-tapering seed-pocket,b', open above and below, as and for the purpose specified.

8. In combination with the stationary valve V' secured upon therunner-post, the pivoted seed-tube a', arranged to oscillate laterallyover the said valve, substantially as herein shown and described, andfor the purposes set forth.

9. In a corn-planter having its front and rear sections iie'xiblyconnected together, and constructed substantially as described, .theadjustable, slotted, vertical bar t', connecting the tongue with the armfr' of rock-shaft r and its hand -lever l, and adapted to be operated inconnection with the locking-bar g when thrown into its notch y forlocking the two sections of the planter rigidly together, as and for thepurpose hereinbefore set forth.

l0. In a corn-planter having its front and rear sections flexiblyconnected together, and constructed substantially as described, anelevated rack-standard, E, on its axle, having an open guideway betweenits uprights, and supporting a seat-bar, cl', and a rock-shaft, r, (withits hand -lever l and auxiliary locking devices,) pivoted therein,substantially as hereinbefore specified, for the purpose set forth.

11. In combination with the rack-standard E, hand lever l, rock shafti", having arm r', locking-bar g, pivot-bolt h', bar t', having slot i',notch i and holes j, and tongue B, as and for the purpose hereinbeforespecified.

12. In combination with the pivot-:ed handlever l, arranged to force therunners into the ground through the medium of a vertical rod or bar, i,and a rock-shaft, i", the post g', having flaring foot-pieces f, andmounted upon the tongue Bin rear of the axle and below the drivers seat,the same constituting a means auxiliary to the said lever for` thepurpose of forcing down the runners', substantially as shown andspecified.

13. In a corn-planter having its front and rear sections flexiblyconnected together, and constructed substantially as described,concentric gear-wheel F, pinion e', pitman p",

plate c, fork f', stud e, pvoted bar c', slotted plate o, and post I,for connecting with slide-lever o when dropping or drillingautomatically, as hereinbefore set forth.

14. In a corn -planter having its front and rear sections flexiblyconnected together, and constructed substantially as described, thedriving-gear adapted to be disconnected from the actuating-lever c',that connects the same with its dropping` and drilling` devices, byremoving the weight of the operator from the rear of the tongue to thedriver-s seat C, whereby the front section is tilted and the clutch j'drawn forward on the lever c by the rod u connecting it with the bracketm on the seedbox a', and disengaged from the stud e on the pitman p', asbereinbefore set forth.

1t'. The slotted plate c, in combination with the stud e on the pitmanp', for allowing the play of the stud in its slot when the clutch f isdrawn forward without communicating motion to the vibratory lever c', orentirely disconnecting it from the saine at the time the parts arethrown out of gear, substantially as hereinbetore specified.

16. The L-Sliaped post I, detachablr bolted to the cross-bar b, incombination with the slotted plate o and the slide-lever c forconnecting the forward end of the vibratory lever o with the latter whenusing` the machine as an automatic drill or planter.

AUSTIN C. EVANS.

Attest B. C. CoNvERsn, M. M. CONVERSE.

